Acclaimed Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has spoken candidly about becoming a mother to twin boys via surrogacy, confronting the societal pressure and silence surrounding fertility challenges.
In a live #WithChude interview with media entrepreneur Chude Jideonwo, Adichie said she chose openness over secrecy. “You can’t hide two beautiful human beings,” she said. “People were speculating ‘She’s 47 and just had twins.’ I didn’t want to lie and add to the pressure women already face.”
She recalled being praised for how she looked after giving birth. “A viewer told me I looked amazing. But I hadn’t physically given birth, so I told the truth. That moment mattered.”
Though her revelation sparked online debate, Adichie stood firm. “My boys are precious. It was deeply personal, but I couldn’t pretend I birthed them when I didn’t.”
She criticized the stigma surrounding infertility and conditions like fibroids. “Too many women feel ashamed it’s an unnecessary burden. We need to speak honestly.”
Addressing ethical concerns about surrogacy, she acknowledged its complexity. “Yes, it can be dehumanizing but it can also be ethical, depending on how it’s done. There’s a contradiction in defending bodily autonomy yet opposing surrogacy outright.”
Despite backlash, Adichie said she has “zero regrets.” She hopes her openness encourages others to reject shame and judgment. “Some women even hide their babies because of how they were born. That’s not healthy.”
Describing her children as “the greatest gifts,” she emphasized her commitment to raising them with love, respect, and gender equality. Adichie first revealed her twin sons’ birth in February 2025. They join her nine-year-old daughter.
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